An Interview with Jutta H., an Appen Rater from Finland

Remote jobs are perfect for those who are continuing their education. Without a standard work schedule, you can schedule your workday around your classes and study time. And that’s exactly what Jutta Hyrskylahti of Finland is currently doing. Recently, we asked her some questions about her work-life balance, and how Appen has helped her meet her goals while she’s in school.

Tell us about yourself! Where are you from?

I live in Espoo in Southern Finland, near a beautiful lake. I live with my husband and two funny Jack Russell Terrier boys. Besides being an Appen rater, I’m studying to be a Full Stack Web Developer.

Do you have any hobbies or special talents?

I love to go hiking and stand up paddle boarding with my family. I also do agility training with my dog. I think my special talent is my versatility. I have studied four different degrees and have experience, for example, in Communication, animal care and training, jewelry design, making miniature models, and coding websites. 

Where is your favorite place to travel?

Seefeld in Austrian Alps is one of my favorite places. I love the stunning mountain views, friendly people, and the dog culture too. We had a lovely trip there a couple of years ago with our dog. I also love Lapland in Finland. The isolation, silence, and beautiful untouched nature makes you really relax.

What does a typical day look like for you? When do you work best?

I wake up early around 5am and take my dogs for a walk. I start working right after breakfast. If I don’t have studies, I work around 6-7 hours when work is available. I try to finish before my husband comes home from work so I have free time in the evening. If I have a school day, I work in the morning and evening (a couple of hours if possible), and then more hours on the weekends. I work best early in the morning when it is quiet and peaceful and it is easiest for me to concentrate.

If you get stressed or worried, take a break and read the guidelines and other resources again and try to relax. Try not to overthink and overanalyze, just do your best and you will be fine. — Jutta T., Finland Contributor, Appen

How did you first hear about Appen?

I was searching for part time work and noticed an ad on a job search site. I found Appen and it seemed like a good company for working remotely, so I decided to apply. I still remember how excited I was when I heard that I was accepted.

What was your first impression of Appen? 

I felt welcome in the Appen community right at the start. I liked that there were thorough instructions to start my work as a rater.  The support team is always ready to help us.

What prompted you to look for remote work?

I was looking for some extra jobs to do when I have free time from my little jewelry shop. This work sounded so interesting that I decided to apply for it. Now that I have been working remotely for over a year and a half, I really love the flexibility and the ability to study at the same time and work when I can. And I love not having to travel two hours a day to get to work.

How do you find your work/life balance?

I decide my working hours in advance and try to stick to them. On the weekends I wake up early to work in the morning to have free time in the evening with my family. I listen to myself and take breaks when I need them. My two little dogs make sure I take them for walks and play with them once in a while. If I get stressed, I write down the things that stress me out and do something I like, such as going for a long walk in the forest with my dogs.

What do you find most rewarding about this job? 

Learning new things about the world and hearing about things I have never heard of! I love that I can solve problems every day. Sometimes I feel like a detective when finding out about different things and their relationship to each other. I love that I have a chance to make the world just a little bit better place by improving people’s user experience and helping them find what they want.

What has surprised you most about working for Appen?

Appen has a great community. I love how friendly and wonderful fellow raters are. We can share our thoughts and advice, and some cute puppy pictures too. You always learn new things and get to improve yourself.

How do you stay healthy when working from home?

My dogs help me with that by making sure I go for walks and play with them regularly. I also try to go running a couple of times a week because it helps me sleep better. Other things that help are taking regular breaks, having some free time when I don’t think about the work at all, and sleeping enough. I admit that the sleeping enough part is something I should still improve on.

What advice do you have for prospective Appen candidates?

Appen has a lot of interesting working opportunities. When applying, make sure you read the guidelines carefully and take your time with the tests. When you are working, remember to take regular breaks. To be a successful rater, it is important that you really concentrate on your work. Try to make sure that you have a comfortable and ergonomic working place to avoid health issues. Make it cozy and beautiful. I have an electric adjustable table so I can work either sitting or standing. My working place is by a window so I can look at our beautiful backyard while working. If you get stressed or worried, take a break and read the guidelines and other resources again and try to relax. Try not to overthink and overanalyze, just do your best and you will be fine.   — Want to join our global community of people who love the flexibility of working from home? We’re hiring!